It’s easy to look at this passage in terms of our own personal lives, and indeed we must work on these character traits as followers of Jesus. But how do we live these out in the context of community?Please join in our conversation here...
In what ways was Jesus counter-cultural in His approach to reaching the world? What does His example mean for you?
Timothy and Epaphroditus were immediate examples of what Paul was talking about. What step can you take toward living out these teachings more fully?
What other questions does this text raise?
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Philippians 2
We continued our walk through a short but impactful book. Philippians 2 reminds us of the example of Jesus and encourages us to unity in the church. Here's the podcast. Here are the discussion points that we had:
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3 comments:
One theme that seemed prevalent and on-target last night was the theme of thinking about yourself vs. thinking about others. We saw Paul talk about Timothy as one who genuinely has an interest in the welfare of others, and how that is a stark contrast to the behavior of others. And several people commented about how that is something you need for a community to live out the principles that Paul is calling us to.
I'd like to offer the following perspective. Often times, we hear people evaluating churches based on how well they "fill you" or "feed you" or some other such churchy-phrase that deals with what someone gets out of a church. I'd offer that a much better way to evaluate a church is to ask "how are their members being poured out as drink offerings"? If a church has a membership where the community is full of being being poured out into the world as drink offerings to cover up short falls, shortcomings, and needs, then I would say the church is doing great, and the community as a whole is seeking and living out what Paul is calling us to. And if the only thing being done by the church is to fatten to the minds of the congregation and to help keep the building a comfortable 60-70 degrees, than that church is probably failing at what Paul is calling us to.
Reminds me of an often quoted political line ... I'll tweak it a little ... "Ask not what your church can do for you, ask what you can do through your church for those around you"
Beautiful! That's where I want to go!
That's great, Tyler. When you mention how Paul highlights Timothy, it made me think "who do I know that jumps immediately to mind as a Timothy kind of person?" -- that shirt-off-their-back kind of person? I know several, and I'd also say that they're the kind of person that truly cares about others and REALLY LISTENS when I talk to them; they lend a helping hand, lots of times without waiting to be formally asked but just see the need and jump in and do it; and they don't speak ill of others. I NOTICE someone like that, because the kindness that permeates their life is noticeable.
That's the kind of person I'd like to be, am working on being, and it makes me think of what a beautiful thing it would be to be a "whole group" (or community) of people like that. What a difference we would make not only in the lives here of our community as a church but also in our Findlay and area community. That would be beautiful.
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